Futuristic steel buildings with bolted connections symbolizing earthquake resistance.

Steel Structures Get a Seismic Upgrade: How New Tech Could Save Lives

Mira Elwood in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the innovative approach of using blind bolted assembly CFST frames with beam-connected SPSWs to enhance earthquake resistance in steel structures, offering a blend of strength, ductility, and rapid assembly."

In regions prone to seismic activity, the construction industry is constantly seeking innovative methods to enhance the resilience of buildings. Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) have emerged as a popular solution, offering high stiffness, excellent ductility, and efficient energy dissipation during earthquakes. Traditional SPSWs, however, often involve complex welding processes that can be costly and time-consuming.

To address these challenges, researchers have explored a novel approach: blind bolted assembly concrete filled steel tube (CFST) frames with SPSWs connected to beams only. This system combines the advantages of SPSWs with the ease of assembly offered by blind bolted connections, potentially revolutionizing the way steel structures are built in earthquake-prone areas.

Recent research has focused on understanding the seismic behavior of this innovative system. By subjecting single-bay, two-story CFST frames with beam-connected SPSWs to lateral cyclic loads, researchers have gained valuable insights into their performance under earthquake conditions. The results demonstrate the potential of this system to enhance the seismic resilience of steel structures, offering a promising avenue for future construction practices.

Why Blind Bolted Connections and SPSWs are a Game Changer

Futuristic steel buildings with bolted connections symbolizing earthquake resistance.

The conventional method of connecting SPSWs to boundary beams and columns often involves welding along all edges. For thinner SPSWs the welding is difficult to perform on site while maintaining quality control, and the labor costs are very high. Experimental results also show that initial tearing often occurs at the welds around the corners of infilled SPSWs, leading to degraded energy dissipation compared to bolted connections.

By using bolted connections the removal of damaged SPSWs becomes easier and faster. Blind bolted assembly CFST frames use steel beams fixed to circular or square CFST columns with blind bolts and end plates, and can be fastened from outside the hollow section column. The blind bolted end plate joints avoid extensive welding and maintain excellent dissipation and remarkable ductility.

Enhanced Stiffness and Strength: SPSWs significantly boost the lateral stiffness and load-bearing capacity of the frames.
Improved Ductility and Energy Dissipation: The system exhibits excellent hysteretic performance, effectively absorbing and dissipating energy during seismic events.
Simplified Construction: Blind bolted connections streamline the assembly process, reducing on-site welding and labor costs.

CFST columns can be used as an alternative to conventional H-shaped members for high axial load and flexural moment with blind bolted connections, making the new system have high load carrying capacity and ductility. Connecting SPSWs to the frame beams only eliminates dependence on columns, reduces field installation workload, and makes door or window openings conveniently arranged.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Earthquake-Resistant Steel Structures

The combination of blind bolted assembly CFST frames with beam-connected SPSWs represents a significant step forward in earthquake-resistant design. This innovative system offers a compelling blend of strength, ductility, ease of assembly, and cost-effectiveness, making it a promising solution for future construction projects in seismically active regions. Further research and development in this area could lead to even more resilient and sustainable steel structures, safeguarding lives and infrastructure in the face of earthquakes.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are the main advantages of using blind bolted assembly CFST frames with beam-connected SPSWs in earthquake-prone areas?

This system offers a multitude of benefits. It combines the advantages of Steel Plate Shear Walls (SPSWs) – namely, high stiffness, excellent ductility, and efficient energy dissipation – with the ease of assembly provided by blind bolted connections. Blind bolted assembly CFST frames eliminate extensive welding, reducing on-site labor and costs while maintaining excellent energy dissipation and remarkable ductility. The system's design enhances both the strength and resilience of steel structures, making them better equipped to withstand seismic events. The SPSWs also enhance stiffness and strength. Furthermore, the use of blind bolted connections simplifies the replacement of damaged components, leading to faster repairs and reduced downtime after an earthquake.

How does the use of blind bolted assembly CFST frames improve the construction process compared to traditional methods?

Traditional methods often involve complex welding processes to connect SPSWs, which can be time-consuming, costly, and challenging to perform on-site while maintaining quality control. In contrast, blind bolted assembly CFST frames with beam-connected SPSWs utilize blind bolted connections, which streamline the assembly process. These bolts can be fastened from outside the hollow section column. This approach significantly reduces the need for on-site welding, lowers labor costs, and speeds up construction timelines. The connections also eliminate the dependency of SPSWs on columns, allowing for more flexible arrangement of openings for doors and windows. Moreover, the ability to easily remove and replace SPSWs connected by bolts simplifies maintenance and repair, making the system more practical and efficient.

What role do Steel Plate Shear Walls (SPSWs) play in this earthquake-resistant system, and why are they important?

SPSWs are a critical component of the system. They significantly enhance the lateral stiffness and load-bearing capacity of the steel frames. During seismic events, SPSWs contribute to the overall ductility and energy dissipation of the structure, effectively absorbing and dissipating the energy generated by the earthquake. This helps to reduce the stress on the building's frame, minimizing the potential for structural damage and collapse. The combination of SPSWs with blind bolted assembly CFST frames results in a highly resilient structure capable of withstanding significant seismic forces.

What are Concrete Filled Steel Tube (CFST) columns, and how do they contribute to the system's effectiveness?

CFST columns are structural elements made by filling steel tubes, typically circular or square, with concrete. In this innovative system, CFST columns, used with blind bolted connections, replace conventional H-shaped members and provide high load-carrying capacity and ductility. They offer superior performance under high axial loads and flexural moments. The use of CFST columns, combined with the beam-connected SPSWs and blind bolted connections, creates a robust and ductile frame that can withstand the stresses of an earthquake. The blind bolted connections allow for easy assembly and provide excellent energy dissipation, making the structure more resilient.

How does this new system compare to older approaches, and what are the implications for the future of construction?

Compared to traditional methods, the system of blind bolted assembly CFST frames with beam-connected SPSWs offers a more efficient, cost-effective, and resilient approach to earthquake-resistant construction. Traditional methods often rely on complex welding, which can be challenging and costly. This new system streamlines the construction process and enhances structural performance. The implications for the future are significant, as this innovative system provides a compelling blend of strength, ductility, ease of assembly, and cost-effectiveness. Further research and development in this area could lead to even more sustainable and resilient steel structures, ensuring greater safety for buildings in seismically active regions. This represents a significant step forward in safeguarding lives and infrastructure.